On an overcast October 7th, 2012, hundreds of protesters descended upon Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario again for the closing day of the season. By now, dozens of news stories have been written around the world about Marineland and the atrocious conditions that the animals imprisoned there have to endure. They are barely surviving, and certainly not thriving, in those concrete tanks or on barren dry land.

Spandy Andy entertaining the crowd.Phil Demers speaking from the heart.

Cheri DiNovo speaking to the crowd.Jen on the bullhorn.

We knew from the momentum that M.A.D. had been gaining over the past few months and the word spreading all over social media and the news, that this last demonstration of the season would be memorable. It had been estimated that anywhere from 600-800 protestors from all over came out on this day. M.A.D. even arranged for buses to pick up demonstrators from several regions in the area as well.

I was so moved and motivated by the last two demonstrations we had attended in August, that I brought two close friends up from Philadelphia with me to be a part of this epic day. I am so glad I did. The energy was electrifying. There was music, dancing, vegan baked goods, a raffle for The Cove and M.A.D. gear, and inspiring statements from the aforementioned leaders and activists.

Debbie, me, and Nicole

I felt particularly vocal and riled up during the day and found myself projecting my voice (sans bullhorn) to visitors of the park, expressing my disapproval. At one point I saw a fancy small black tour bus pull up and several small children got off with their parents. I felt disgusted and without hesitation, I yelled out, “You’re bringing your kids here? This place is terrible! Don’t go in!” Later in the day, I noticed a group of people who had gotten off a tour bus and were just hanging outside of the park. I called out to them, “Come and join us. We have signs for you. We’re having more fun. We have dancing and cupcakes!” Eventually they came over to our side, took some signs, and said they didn’t intend on going in after hearing our message about the animals. We all cheered for them and told them they made the right choice. As they eventually returned to their bus to leave with those who went in returned, they looked back at us and smiled and waved. We gave them a standing ovation as they headed on their bus to leave.Before he went on to speak to a crowd of hundreds, we got to meet Ric O’Barry. Ric was very friendly and accommodating to those who approached him for a picture, autograph, or quick hello. I had recently purchased his book, Behind the Dolphin Smile: One Man’s Campaign to Protect the World’s Dolphins, electronically and told him so. He was impressed that someone had bought the Kindle version and made it known. I admire the fact that he, while in his 70s, is still tirelessly fighting to end the dolphin entertainment industry that he once helped to start. CityNews Toronto was on the scene to film the demonstration and we can be seen with Ric at 2:07 minutes in during his interview with their reporter Shauna Hunt. He’s one hell of a human being in my book.

Talking to Ric O’Barry about his book.Debbie, Nicole, Ric O’Barry, and me.Talking with Ric before he’s interviewed for CityNews Toronto.Ric O’Barry being interviewed by City News reporter Shauna Hunt about Duke.Ric speaking to a crowd of hundreds.

Approaching the gates.Outside the gates of Marineland.Iconic photo by Mike Garrett of protesters shutting down the dolphin show.

The energy, enthusiasm, and fight for what was right was exhilarating, and at times, overwhelming. People came from far and wide to speak, express their dissent and disgust with Marineland, and to help educate those who were patronizing the abusement park about the harsh realities of captivity.

Spandy Andy dancing in the parking lot to Psy’s Gangnam Style.A police officer turning off the music as the crowd sighs in disappointment.

One woman whom I met briefly, Suzanne Lemire, brought old photos of some of the animals in Marineland from when she and her family had visited the park over 20 years ago. In her new awareness, she wanted to make amends to the animals and to rid herself of those photos, which she did by ripping them apart outside of the park. She vehemently expressed her wishes (at 2:42 minutes in this video) to, “Shut it down!”

Suzanne making a passionate speech against Marineland.Hugging Suzanne. We were all so moved.The ripped pictures taken inside Marineland years ago by Suzanne and her family.

Since the October demonstration, much has happened. One of the former trainers, Christine Santos, came forward and described in detail for The Star how Kiska, a killer whale, had been bleeding off and on since July and was getting progressively worse. To date, there have been at least 15 whistleblowers who have come forward to reveal the atrocities happening behind the scenes at Marineland. There have been demonstrations outside of the homes of Marineland’s owner, John Holer and their veterinarian, June Mergl.

Talking with Brian and Connie from GoHomeless.ca, more of Holer’s victims.Debbie, Nicole, me, and John SakarsTalking with more dedicated New York activists, Ann, Rosemary and Danielle.

The stories of bravery and tenacity of so many of the activists I have met along the way at the Marineland demonstrations have been inspiring and harrowing. I was impressed with John B.’s persistence with giving out leaflets and putting himself in precarious positions just to get the message out. I saw him trying to give passengers in cars coming and going to the park literature and newspapers about the troubles with Marineland. At one point, he even made his way onto a tour bus and passed out leaflets to those inside. During the times I met him, he arrived alone to the protests, but kept on with the message, strong and proud. Now that’s dedication.

One of my newest Ontario friends, activist John B.Serious talk with Sarat Colling and John Sakars.

The fight is not over. It will continue to persist if humans think we can imprison sentient beings for profit and entertainment and if witnesses to this madness do not speak up for justice. We all have the power to do something, say something, and to spend our dollars wisely. If you do only one thing after reading this, heed Ric O’Barry’s words, “Don’t buy a ticket for a dolphin show.” Watch this short documentary, Into the Water, by local college students about Marineland. Hear Phil Demers passionate plea trying to save Smooshi. And do something.

Express yourself.

Other ways you can help the animals and support the fight against Marineland:Legal Fees Mounting – Support whistleblower Christine Santos in her defense at IndigogoBecome an ADL Sustainer – This supports the Marineland Animal Defense (M.A.D.)Legal Fund for Dylan – Go to Paypal & support Dylan Powell’s defense fund at marinelandanimaldefense@gmail.com (indicate “Legal Fund for Dylan” in the subject line)Marineland Animal Defense – Attend any of the upcoming demonstrations, follow Operation Shut It Down, and write to local government officials

“A dolphin’s smile is their greatest deception. It creates the illusion that they are always happy.”-Richard O’Barry

I have been loosely following the Marineland Animal Defense (M.A.D.) campaign since I met Dylan Powell of Vegan Police and many other righteous endeavors back at a conference in March. People have been protesting Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario for over 20 years though but the sh*t really hit the fan in mid-August when former head trainer Phil Demers came forward to tell the Toronto Star what he saw behind the scenes. Everything from dolphins skin falling off in chunks, to seals going blind or having major eye problems due to dirty water, and things that made him so disillusioned the only way he felt he could get justice for the animals was to quit working there and going public. I’m so glad he did. After reading the three part expose online from the Toronto Star, I felt compelled to do something besides sit behind my computer crying.Since Phil has come forward numerous other former employees have also come forward to tell the horrors they’ve witnessed in the treatment of animals at Marineland. There was the heartbreaking tale of the land animals (namely the deer and bears) from former supervisor, Jim Hammond. Former trainer Glen Owen told the Toronto Star of his experiences witnessing the abuses and neglect behind the scenes and his inability to save them as well. All of their stories, and so many more, only scratch the surface of the hellish conditions that these animals have to live in, day in and day out, so humans can be entertained and an unscrupulous owner, John Holer, can line his pockets with their cash.

With passport in hand, packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and a husband willing to drive and accompany me for the 3+ hour drive to Canada, we went to the next scheduled Marineland demonstration on August 18th, 2012. From the reports I’ve read, normally a few dozen protesters usually show up, but this Saturday was different. Close to 500 or more people, many protesting against Marineland for the first time, came to fight the powers that be. It was epic. Parents with children, signs galore, people on bullhorns, all types of people from all over. The energy was amazing. There were a couple of protesters that went around with a jug of cold water, cups, and some freeze pops on hand to give to the rest of us as we stood out in the hot sun for hours. I don’t know who they were, but I’m am so grateful and touched by their kindness and generosity. Most cars that rode by honked, gave a thumbs up, and showed signs of support for the protest in one way or another as well. It was a humbling and extremely positive experience, overall.

Edited to add: Another tragic storyline in the whole Marineland debacle is that of the 47 families who lost their homes (and for one, her life) as a result of John Holer’s eviction of them from their trailer homes. I met some of the former residents such as Brian Topolinsky and his lovely wife, Connie O’Connor-Topolinsky on my first demonstration against Marineland and was so touched and horrified by their stories that I asked if I could hold one of their protest signs on my second visit to the park. They told of being evicted from their homes so Holer could use the land for “maintenance” for the park: without permits and to this day, well over a year from the final eviction notice, with no work being done on the property. Their homes still stand with weeds and grass growing high around them. Some of the residents of Green Oaks were elderly, disabled, or retired and used the last of their savings to purchase or make upgrades to their homes. On the date of her eviction, one of the residents, Paula Millard, showed her last sign of resistance against Holer by ending her life. Simply heartbreaking. I will not forget their stories.

This reminds me of the connection between those who harm animals (as John Holer has been accused of shooting animals in Marineland that were sick or even a neighbor’s dog who got out and ended up near his property) and their capacity to hurt humans as well. I hope that in the end, the families from Green Oaks finally get their justice. Please check out the details of their plight at GoHomeless.ca.

Phil Demers talks with Connie and Brian, former residents of Green Oaks, and Teresa, cousin and best friend of the deceased Paula Millard

Since then, I decided to become an ADL sustainer to help with the M.A.D. campaign and future endeavors of the group. They are truly a grassroots organization that mobilize to create effective change. They recently released a kick-ass Marineland PSA as well and I’d recommend anyone that can do so, to also become a sustainer.The next (and last) demonstration of the season is coming up this Sunday, October 7th, closing day for the abusement park. This will be one demo you do not want to miss, if you happen to be in the Niagara region (or a few hours from it)! Ric O’Barry of Save Japan Dolphins, who once trained the dolphins who played Flipper, will be in attendance and speaking at the demo. His story of exposing the dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan was told in the powerful documentary, The Cove. O’Barry has made it his life’s mission to stop the live marine mammal trade because of the inherent cruelty and unnaturalness of putting sentient beings, like dolphins, in tanks for our amusement. He is a force to be reckoned with and someone whom I admire greatly.

I don’t know what the future will bring for those amazing creatures who are imprisoned in Marineland or other marine parks throughout the world, but I hope that the light M.A.D., myself, and other groups and activists are trying to shine on this industry makes people think twice about buying a ticket to these places and eventually releases these animals to where they belong: in the wild!

“No aquarium, no tank in a marine land, however spacious it may be, can begin to duplicate the conditions of the sea. And no dolphin who inhabits one of those aquariums or one of those marine lands can be considered normal.”– Jacques Yves Cousteau